This is an email I received from my brother Josh: 

I was awarded the Army Achievement Medal today. They gave it to me and a couple of my buddies for some of the high speed stuff we did before we deployed. Mine was for the 27 soldiers that I provided first aid to while in California. Most of them suffered from severe heat injury and some that just got sprained ankles and a few that had severe lacerations. So all in all pretty cool.

Dr. Josh was amazed by the overwhelming response from the community of Greeley, CO when they sent 70 boxes of clothes for the children of Afghanistan.

Read all about it here:  Greeley Tribune Article

I never thought I would be spending another holiday away from the ones I love so much, but It's still a magical time, six thousand miles away.  I'll get to spend Christmas Morning opening presents with my kids, reading Luke 2 on Christmas Eve, and celebrating the magic of a day like none other (Even though most of it will be on Skype!).  You see, this year, I have a lot to be thankful for.  Sure I had to shut down a business, and not practice chiropractic for a while, but the things I got in return are priceless.  Let me share my Christmas Presents that I received this year:

This summer, I got to spend almost every day (except for July which was spent in the desert!) with my children.  Playing and laughing, loving and hugging...it was a dream come true every day.  Then at night, I got to go on dates with my wife and enjoy much needed quality time with the woman that takes care of me.

My son and I caught a two foot long, 10 lb (it's getting bigger every time I mention it) salmon out of the Puget Sound.  He reeled it in all by himself...fell down a few times but got it all the way on the beach all by himself.  I hope he remembers his first fish caught.  I know I remember mine, and it was no salmon!

I received four days of leave in October where every day was filled with family and fun.  We spent one night at a water park and played until we were exhausted, then got up the next day and did it again.  Uriah was a bit short for the big rides, but I snuck him in anyways and we both screamed like little kids all the way down the slide.

I've gotten to spend time with great people in a land that needs so much.  Most of the people dream of the day when they can walk down the street and not fear evil men lurking at every corner.  I have one friend here, Nabi, who has given himself not only to his country, Afghanistan, but also to the United States.  He has been blown up, shot at, and beat up; but everyday, he wakes up and goes out on convoys and tries to make his home a little safer for everyone else.  He has a dream to go to college in the United States.  Everyone, in every country, envies the freedom, education, and the safety that we have.  This is a great present, and one that I cherish deeply.

So this Holiday Season, Christmas and Hanukkah, I wish you the very best, and I hope you enjoy your time as much as I will enjoy mine.  Stafe safe, and may God bless you. 

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

This is what I wrote in my journal on November 18, 2009.  Usually I don't share my journal entries, but I think it shows my respect:

Today I wonder if this will be a day that I remember for the rest of my life.  How does on man's sacrifice change lives across the world?  Today was Christopher Coffland's memorial service.  Seeing his close friends tell about a man, an exciting and full of personality man, who gave the ultimate sacrifice was amazing.  

The first round in the 21 volley salute startles me, and taps breaks me.  Tears run down my face.  I'm sad, but I do not cry out of sadness.  I cry because I am so overwhelmed with pride, that a man would give up his life so that his nephews would not have to face war when they grow up.   I cry for the sacrifice of heros and the sacrifice of their families .

Thank you.

On Thursday morning, at 1016 local time, we lost one of our soldiers to an IED attack.  We put him on an  Air Force Jet home in a ceremony Friday morning as the sun came up.  It was a very sad morning.  It's pretty unbelievable that we have already lost a soldier and we've been here less than a month.

After several months of training in preparation for his deployment, Josh departed yesterday from US soil. He will stop in numerous countries before making it into Afghanistan.  Join me in wishing him well and Godspeed while he is away.

for Dr. Josh,

Peter Eldridge

Soldier sacrifices business to serve country

by Mike Peters